BREMMER: The outlook for US-Russia relations just reached a new low for the post-Cold War era

REUTERS/Sergei KarpukhinOpposition leader Boris Nemtsov (C) attends a rally to support a vote electing the Coordinating Council of the Russian opposition movement in Moscow, October 20, 2012. Opponents of President Vladimir Putin say elections in Russia are rigged in favour of his ruling party and are instead holding their own Internet contest to choose a ‘shadow parliament’ they hope will reinvigorate the flagging opposition movement.

“Political consolidation in Russia and a deteriorating economy has made public opposition to the Kremlin far more dangerous,” Bremmer explained by email. “The opposition may not be strong in Russia, but Nemtsov has long been one of its most articulate and outspoken proponents.”

But Nemtsov’s long career both inside and outside the Kremlin and international stature wasn’t enough to protect him. “He’s just paid the ultimate price,” wrote Bremmer. “The outlook for US-Russia relations has just reached a new low for the post-Cold War era.

“The Kremlin has been digging in for what they see as a complete break of the US-Russia relationship,” Bremmer added. “Whoever is behind the assassination, it sends a deep chill across the Atlantic.”